Press-box.



N6. 885,784. 8 PATENTED APR. 28, 1908. V

F. PHELPS.

PRESS BOX.

, APPLICATION FILED 00121 1907.

Z SHEETSSHEET 1.

22 i b1 eases PATBNTED APR. 28, 1908.

F. PHELPS.

PRESS BOX.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.21. 1907.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

avwewtoz W 61mm, J

i STATENT FRANK PHELPS, OF WELLSTON, OKLAHOMA.

PRE SS-B OX.

Patented April 28, 1908.

Application filed October 21, 1907. Serial No. 398,435.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK PHELPS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wellston, in the county of Lincoln and State of Oklahoma,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Press-Boxes; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to baling-presses, and has for its object toprovide an improved press-box of suitable construction to withstand thestrains of heavy compression and at the same time be convenient tooperate without the use of a counter-balance.

The invention will hereinafter be first fully described by reference tothe accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, andthen more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of thisdescription.

In the drawings, the type of press selected for illustrating theinvention is a revolving double box-press. The invention is howeverapplicable to the many different styles of presses, either of thesingle-box or doublebox type.

Figure 1 of said drawings is a diagrammatic view of the revolving doubleboxpress. The left hand press-box therein is shown in elevation, andrepresented as in,

closed position; while the right hand pressbox, shown inverticalsection, is represented in open position, the bale of cotton orother material being represented as having been com ressed between theplun er and presshea The position of the let hand pressbox is of coursereversed with respect to the position of the right-hand press-box, sincethe revolvin of the apparatus carries the boxes aroun for successive usein connection with the plunger and press-head. Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview of the press-box which is the subject-matter of my resentinvention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the press-box when opened. Fig. 4 isa plan view of the press-box when closed.

As the construction and operation of a re volving double box-press iswell understood, and as the press shown in Fig. 1 is merely selected asa suitable type for illustrating my present invention, a brief referenceto the parts of the press will be sufficient.

A denotes the central pivot post or column, and B denotes the lateralupright orstandshown), and connected at the top y a yoke or cross piece0, these parts constituting the main frame-work of the press. Supportedby any suitable frame or table D, which is revoluble on the center postA, are the two press-boxes E, E, adapted to be revolved one afteranother into position to receive the plunger F, working in coo erationwith the press-head G, so that one ox may be filled with the cotton orother material that is to be compressed, while the bale is being formedin the other, in the usual manner with this class of machines.

Fig. 2 represents the press-box E as it would appear at the right handof said Fig. 1. As previously stated, the left hand box in Fig. 1 isshown in reversed position, that is its rear side faces front. When theframe or table is turned to bring the left hand pressbox to the righthand side, over the plunger, it would then appear in the same positionas shown in Fig. 2.

As understood by those familiar with the art, the main portion of eachpress-box is rigid or fixed, while the portion in which the bale iscompressed (in this .case the upper end of the box) is se arable, itssides being removable or disp aceable for releasing the bale. As bothboxes are alike, the following descri tion of one will suffice. Theletter E is app ied in the drawings on the main rigid or fixed sectionof the press-box, or that portion of the box where the sides are fixedand through which the cotton is forced by pressure into the separablesection of the box, the latter constltuting an extension of the mainsection.

The numerals 1, 2, 3 and 4 designate res ectively the four displaceableor removable sides of the upper separable section of the box. The frontand rear sides 1 and 3 are or may be hinged to swing outward as shown inFig. 4. The left side 2 is displaceable by receding from the bale asshown in Fig. 1. The 0 posite or right side 4 is hinged at 5, preferabfyat a oint below the upper section of the box, an drops back of its ownweight when the upper section is opened.

Two beams or bars 6 are secured across and fastened to the left side ofthe box, that is to the main or fixed section of the pressbox. Thesebeams support between them two vertical rods 7, the u per ends of whichrods extend through and above the upper one of the cross-bars 6. On thecorresponding side 2 of the upper separable section of the box aresimilarly secured two cross-bars 8.

Across the front of the press-box are arranged three beams 10, 11 and12. Across the opposite or rear side are similarly arranger three beams,likewise denominated 10, 11 and 12. The beams 10 are arranged near thelower part of the press-box, while the beams 12 are arranged across theupper separable section. The middle beams 11 may extend along the jointbetween the main lower section of the box and its upper separablesection, so that said beams when secured in place will hold and braceboth sections of the press-box. The lower beams 10, also the middlebeams 11, have L-shaped ends 13 which embrace the corners ofthepress-box. At the left side, the extremities of said L-shaped ends orparts 13 are pivotally attached on the vertical rods 7, which latterextend through holes therefor in said parts 13. The upper beams 12 havesuch L-shaped arts 13 only at their right hand ends, whic embrace theright hand corners of the box. The left-hand ends of said beams 12 areconnected by pivot pins or bolts 14 to the upper left cross-bars 8. Themiddle beams 11 are similarly connected by corres ondingly located.pivot pins or bolts 14 to t e lower cross-bars 8. The pivot pins orbolts 14 stand at the outer ends of short longitudinal slots 15 in thesaid bars 8.

At the right side of the press-box (appearing as the left side in theleft hand half of Fig. 1) there are two vertical pivot rods 16 and 17,one at the front and one at the back, each running through holestherefor in the respective set of beams 10, 11 and 12. T 0 one of saidrods 16 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) are attached the angled or L-shaped ends ofpreferably three tie-rods 18, the opposite ends of which tie-rods areprovided with bent or angled parts 19 which are slotted to engage hooks20 on the other pivot rod 17. Said pivot rod 17 has thereon a lever 21whereby the rod can be turned to lock the hooks 20 in the slots 19, orto release said hooks from said slots and permit disengagement of thetie-rods 18 from the pivot rod 17. The turning of the pivot rod 17 tolock the hooks in the slots also tensions the tie-rods, therebytightening the box. When the hooks are fastened or locked in the slots,the lever 21 lies across the front of the press-box and may be fastenedby a loop 22 or other suitable means.

The operation is as follows: hen the box is closed and fastened, it willbe seen that the beams 11 and 12, attached to the cr'ossbars 8 at oneend and having their L-shaped parts 13 embracing the corners of the boxat the other end, hold firmly in position the opposite displaceablesides 2 and 4 while the said cross-bars 8, attached to said beams 11 and12, hold together the front and back sides 1 and 3 at the left of thebox. The front and back are held in position at the right hand side ofthe box by the tie-rods 1S connecting the pivot posts 16 and 17 on theopposite faces of the box.

To open the box, after the material has been compressed and formed intoa. bale, the lever 21 is first unlocked and thrown outward to disengagethe hooks 20 on the pivot rod 1 7 from the slotted ends 19 of thetie-rods 1S, and the latter are then disengaged and swung away from thebox. The front beams 10, 1 l and 12, carrying with them the pivot rod.17, are then swung around on their left hand pivots; similarly the rearbeams 11), 11 and 12, carrying the other pivot rod 16, are swungoutward, both sets of beams being carried to the full open positionshown in Fig. 3, and carrying with them the front and rear sides 1 and 3of the upper separable section of the box, the said sides being attachedto the upper beams 12. Since the beams ll) and 11 have their L-shapedleft hand ends 12'; pivoted on the vertical rods 7, said beams whenswung out to open position. are thrown behind said eross-bars 6, theeffect of which is to throw back the lower cross-bar S. The upper beams12 and upper cross-bar 8 being respectively attached to the separablesides 1, 2 and 3 of the upper section of the box, are caused to conformto the movements and positions of the beams 10 and 11, and lowercross-bar 8, thus, when the box is opened, the separable sides 1 and 3being thrown outward as in Fig. 3, the left hand side 2 auton'iatieallyrecedes from its normally closed position, as shown at the right handhalf of Fig. I. This leaves the opposite or right side -l free to fallback of its own weight.

Inasmuch as the box is intended more especially to be used with a heavysteel press, and subjected to a heavy compressing strain, the sides ofthe press-box are preferably made of steel plates with the beams,cross-lmrs and hinges also of heavy steel, though I do not limit myselfto these or any specific malerials.

TVhile I have shown what I now regard as a preferred form orembodin'lent of the invention, it is obvious that the beams, cross-bars,tie-rods, etc., may be increased in number or changed in arrangement,and that the details of construction may be n'lodiiied in various wayswithout departing from the principle and scope of my invention, so thatI do not desire to restrict myself essentially to the specificconstruction herein illustrated.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A press-box having displaceable or separable sides, and a three-sidedholding frame inclosing and secured to the three corresponding separablesides of the box, two opposite sides of said holding frame be beingpivotal ly-mounted adjacent to the third side so as to swing oppositelyoutward, and having sliding-pivot connections with said third sidearranged to move the latter outward by the swinging apart of saidopposite sides, whereby the opposite sides of the box are swung outwardtoward the third side which automatically recedes, and de tachableconnections adjoining the free ends of said holding-frame across thefourth side of the box.

2. A press-box having a fixed section and a separable section thereon, athree-sided holding-frame surrounding the box on three sides, theintermediate side of said holdingframe being attached to thecorresponding side of the box and having that portion thereof which isattached to the separable section of the box capable of a recedingdisplacement, the two other sides of said holding frame being hinged orpivotally-connected to said intermediate side and having sliding pivotconnections with the said displaceable portion thereof, whereby whensaid two sides of said holding-frame are swung outward the displaceableportion of said intermediate side recedes and carries with it thecorresponding displaceable side of the separable section of the box, andmeans for connecting the sides of said holding-frame across the fourthside of the box.

3. A press-box having a lower fixed section and an upper separablesection thereon, a three-sided holding-frame surrpunding the box onthree sides, and having means for em-' bracing the corners of the box atits fourth side, the intermediate side of said holdingframe beingattached to the corresponding side of the box and having that portion 40thereof which is attached to the separable section of the box capable ofa receding displacement, the two other sides of said holding-frame beingattached only to the sides of the separable section of the box and beinghinged or pivotally-connected to said intermediate side of the frame andadapted to be swung oppositely outward, the arrangement being such thatwhen said .two sides of said holding-frame are swung outward thedisplaceable portion of said intermediate side recedes and carries withit the corresponding displaceable side of the separable section of thebox, and detachable tie-connections between the free ends of saidholding-frame at its fourth side.

4. A press-box having separable or displaceable sides, and a three-sidedholdingframe inclosing said box on three sides, the intermediate side ofsaid frame being secured 0 to the corresponding separable side of thebox, the other two sides of said frame being hinged to swing oppositelyoutward and being so pivotally-connected to the said intermediate sideas to move the same outward by 5 the swinging outward of the said'twohinged sides, a plurality of tie-rods attached to the free end of one ofsaid hinged sides, said tierods having slotted free ends, and. apivotpost carried by the free end of the other hinged side having hooksfor engaging in the slotted ends of said tie-rods, said pivot-posthaving a lever for turning the same to release said hooks or to engagethem forcibly in the slotted ends of the tie-rods and to tension thelatter.

5. A press-box having a fixed section and a separable section thereon,and a holdingframe comprising opposite sets of beams (as 1 1 and 12)arranged across the front and rear faces of the box, cross-bars (as at8) secured 0 on one displaceable side of the separable sec tion of thebox, sliding pivot connections between the ends of said beams andcross-bars, at least one opposite pair of said beams (as 11) havingangular or L-shaped extensions 5 hinged or pivotally-mounted on thefixed section of the box at the aforementioned side thereof, whereby theswinging outward of the two sets of beams causes the said cross-bars torecede and carry back the separable side attached thereto, and means forconnecting the free ends of the two sets of beams across the side of thebox which. is opposite said crossbars.

6. A press-box having a fixed section and a separable section thereon,and a holding frame comprising opposite sets of beams arranged acrossthe front and rear faces of the box, at least one opposite pair of beams(as 11) havingangular or L-shaped extensions at both ends embracing thecorners of the box, said extensions being hinged or pivotally-mounted onfixed pivots at one side only of the box, cross-bars secured to thecorresponding displaceable side of the separable section of the box,sliding pivot connections between said cross-bars and the adjacent endsof both opposite sets of beams, the aforesaid fixed pivots of the oneset of beams being between such sliding pivots, the other opposite setof beams (as 12) having angular of L-shaped extensions at their freeends only and embracing the corners of the box at that side, andtie-rods carried by the swinging end of the set af beams at one sideadapted to be connected with the swinging end of the set of beams at theopposite side across the fourth side of the box.

7. A press-box having a fixed section and a separable section thereon,and a holding frame comprising cross-bars secured on one side of thefixed section, rods extending between and connected to said cross-bars,other cross-bars secured on the corresponding displaceable side of theseparable section, and opposite sets of beams arranged across the frontand rear of the box, two opposite pairs of said beams having L-shaped orangular extensions embracing the corners of the box at the aforesaidside and pivotally-mounted 130 on said rods, one of such pairs of beamshaving also sliding pivot connections with the adj acent cross-bar onthe said displaceable side of the separable section, and the thirdopposite pair of beams, Which lie across the displaceable front and rearof the separable section, having similar sliding pivot connections withthe other cross-bar on the aforesaid displaceable side.

8. A press-box having displaeeable or separable sides, and a three sidedholding frame comprising cross-bars secured on one displaceable side ofthe box and opposite sets of beams across and secured to the front andrear of the box and having sliding pivot eonnoctions with saidcross-bars, at least one opposite pair of said beams having angularextensions mounted on fixed pivots between the said sliding pivots.

9. A press-box having displaceable or separable sides, and a three-sidedholding-frame inclosing and secured to the three corresponding separablesides of the box, two opposite sides of said holding-flame havingsliding pivot connections to the third or intermediate side and havingangular extensions mounted on fixed pivots between said sliding pivotalconnections, whereby the swinging open of two opposite sides of the boxwill cause the third side to recede.

10. A press-box having displaeeable or separable sides, and athree-sided holdingfraine inclosing and secured to the threecorresponding separable sides of the box, two

opposite sides of said holding frame being of said swinging sides andthe receding side adapted to displace the latter by the swinglng open ofsaid swinging sides.

In testnnony whereof l allix my signature, 111 presence oi twowitnesses.

FRANK PHELPS.

\Vitnesses:

WM, PownLL, JonN l. Hoovnn.

